A New Task Force and Re-Gathering
The FMCIC has formed an anti-racism, or pro-equality, or ‘we’re all made in the image of God so how do we live fully into that’ task force. Actually, the Board of Administration did not give the task force a name, they left that to the task force to decide.
Step one was to choose a strong leader, and then this leader and I would build a team of Jesus followers who are practitioners, and specialists in this field. Rev. Keitha Ogbogu of West Springs FM in Calgary has agreed to lead this team and the team will work closely with our Intercultural Engagement Team.
Like the task forces examining our relationship with the LGBT+ community and Engaging Women in Leadership, this new task force will consider FMCIC’s history, current systems, effectiveness, the opportunity FMCIC has to be a healing agent in Canada and of course this will be bathed in careful listening prayer. Pray for Pastor Keitha and her new task force.
By the way, both of the other task forces just mentioned are preparing their final reports for the BOA.
To those who are discussing regathering face to face on a Sunday morning please let me remind you again officially: there is no pressure from my office to regather sooner than later. There is only pressure to make this decision with prayer and careful thought. I like very much the idea of holding practice services before you regather. A practice service with leaders and board members could help you work out some of the kinks and practice scenarios. I mean, what should an usher do if someone refuses to wear a mask and you have a mask wearing policy? What if someone chooses to sing out loud even though you have a no-singing policy at this time? What about the single mom who walks in with 5 children and 2 obviously have sniffles? Or what about the 4 year old who excitedly runs up to the pastor for a hug – will the pastor have to start running away? What damage could we be doing to that 4 year old by rejecting public hugs? What if the pastor can’t run?
Finally, remember that regathering is not the end goal of this pandemic season, re-imagining what God would have for His church is the next step. What have we learned? What can’t we simply return to? Is God’s word still true in Joel 2:28 “…I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions”? I mean is it possible that God has a new dream, vision or new wine to pour into and through His church in this season? Yes.
MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Church Health Thursdays – Timely Questions: https://fmcic.ca/timely-questions/
News & Stories Blog – Agree to Disagree: https://fmcic.ca/agree-to-disagree/
the conneXion – a Free Methodist theology blog: 3 Minute Theology 2.5: Knowing the Bible Inside Out: https://fmcic.ca/3-minute-theology-2-5-knowing-the-bible-inside-out/
New Leaf Network: The 2019 New Leaf Advent Reader – : https://www.newleafnetwindork.ca/podcast/
FM VIDEOS: https://fmcic.ca/category/fm-video-blog/
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rev. Brian Hornibrook – appointed as Lead Pastor at Queensway FMC, Niagara Falls, ON, effective August 1
ORDINATION AND COMMISSIONING SERVICES
Leonard Bruce – Warkworth, ON – ordination service date TBA
Dani Harris – The Corner Church, Oshawa, ON – ordination service date TBA
Douglas Smith – Fellowship of Joy, St. Williams, ON – ordination service date TBA
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES https://fmcic.ca/foundational-courses/
Register online through the link above
Lay Ministers tracking for credentialed ministry and those transferring ordination credentials into the FMCIC need to take the following two courses for full credit – and if possible, the Heart course first and then Wesleyan Theology.
Heart of Canadian Free Methodism:
November 6-8, 2020 – location TBA*
Wesleyan Theology:
November 6-8, 2020 – Ontario location TBA*
(also available online through FMC-USA: http://fmcusa.org/leadership/courses/)
Ministerial Candidates tracking for Commissioned or Ordained Minister are required to take the following two courses for full credit. Those who are already commissioned or ordained are required to either audit these two courses for 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) each or take the two courses and complete the assignments for 3 CEUs each.
Culture and the Missional Church:
Course starts October 13 (deadline to register – October 5)
Part One: Oct 13-Nov 5 – advance online engagement
PLUS
Part Two: Nov 6-7 – two-day in-person class – Trulls Road FMC, Courtice, ON
Personal and Church Stewardship: (NOTE: TUITION WAIVED FOR THIS ONLINE COURSE)
5-week online course (ENGLISH) – Fall 2020-date TBA
(* These course locations are selected based on where the majority of the participants reside – so please register early! Note: Tuition payment is not required when registering for a course. Payment is due 10 days before the course begins.)
2020 SCHOLARSHIPS https://fmcic.ca/scholarships/
October 15 is the deadline to apply for the Leadership Scholarship Plan (LSP) for any courses taken during the summer and/or fall semesters of 2020. The 2020 application forms and instructions are now available to download from the link above.
October 15 is the deadline to apply for the annual Special Scholarships for courses taken during 2020 – apply online from the link above.
CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEUs) https://fmcic.ca/introduction-to-continuing-education/
Ordained and Commissioned Ministers (except retirees) are to annually report Continuing Education Units (CEUs) acquired during each year. Check the link above for information on CEUs, the report form and a list of examples of many different types of life-long learning that can be applied as CEUs.
Note: For those who attend the fall Minister’s Conferences or the spring Regional Gatherings, add 6 hours of CEU credit for each event when you send in your annual CEU report.
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CHURCHES IN TRANSITION
Interviewing
None
Church Profiles available
Contact Davika Dotson in the Leadership Development Office to request a church profile – davika.dotson@fmcic.ca or 416-240-7845 (deadline to apply in brackets)
Lakeland Community Church, Spiritwood, SK (July 14)
Preparing Profiles
(If you are interested in seeing the profile for any of these churches, please contact Davika in the Leadership Development Office [see above] and the profile will be emailed to you as soon as it becomes available.)
Campbellford FMC, Campbellford, ON
Cedar Street Community Church, Simcoe, ON
Cornerstone FMC, Prince Albert, SK
Dunnville FMC, Dunnville, ON
First FM Church, New Westminster, BC (Rev. Vern Frudd – Transition Pastor)
New Hope FMC, Bracebridge, ON
Pineview FMC, Cloyne, ON
Richmond Hill Chinese & English FM Churches, Richmond Hill, ON (Rev. Louis Leung – Interim Pastor)
Trinity Christian Centre, Dresden, ON
Whitby FMC, Whitby, ON (Rev. Vic Stonehouse-Transition Pastor)
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Youth and Worship Pastor – Weyburn FM Church
Ministry Intern – Maple Grove Christian Retreat
